Man accused of killing family with axe wants to plead guilty

A man accused of murdering three of his relatives and trying to kill two others wants to admit guilt, the Vereeniging Regional Court has heard.

“May I plead guilty now?” he asked shortly after being told by the court that he would be sent for mental observation.

He was dressed in blue jeans, a grey sweater and sneakers.

The 25-year-old man is accused of killing his 60-year-old grandmother and two female relatives, who were 26 and 28, with an axe.

“The women relatives died on the scene, while the grandmother died on the way to hospital,” said Captain Disebo Selepe.

Two male cousins, aged 17 and 18, were injured and were taken to a nearby hospital in a critical condition.

The man also attacked a six-year-old relative, but she was not hurt, Selepe said.

Afterwards, he fled, but he was later arrested in Tembisa.

The motive for the attack was not known.

The state told the court the man had confessed to the murders, and indicated that it would oppose bail.

Scores of local residents and some of the man’s family were in court today.

The magistrate called two relatives forward and asked them about the man’s mental health.

“He has no mental illness,” they told the magistrate.

The matter was postponed to January 21 to allow the man to get legal aid.

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